The sorcerer ball, a forbidden construct long classified as taboo by the Academy, appeared once more after many years.
Sellen's body was sealed within the sphere. She closed her eyes, quietly waiting for her emotions to fade away.
Yet, not long after, she sensed that something was wrong.
Her emotions had not vanished. Her thoughts remained clear and active.
Confused, Sellen opened her eyes. She was inside the sorcerer ball, surrounded by complete darkness.
This was nothing like what she had imagined.
At that moment, a knocking sound came from outside, followed by Arthur's voice.
"Teacher? Are you still in there?"
"Apprentice?" Sellen replied instinctively.
"Oh? You're still conscious? Why don't you come out and we talk?" Arthur said.
"I'm inside the sorcerer ball… how would I even—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Sellen suddenly realized that she could move.
Following the direction of Arthur's voice, she walked forward—and stepped out of the sorcerer ball.
The first thing Sellen did was examine her own condition.
"…This is my soul?"
Her tone carried clear surprise. Inside the sorcerer ball, she hadn't noticed it at all.
Only now did she realize she had become a spiritual form.
No wonder she had been able to move freely inside the sorcerer ball.
While Sellen examined herself, Arthur was also looking at her.
This was the first time Arthur had ever seen his teacher's true appearance.
In her soul form, Sellen no longer wore the glintstone crown. Her real face was finally revealed.
She had chestnut-brown hair styled in a soft side-swept fashion. Her eyes were a bright, star-like blue.
Her skin was fair, and she looked strikingly young—like a woman in her early twenties.
"I never imagined that my teacher would be this beautiful beneath the crown," Arthur said sincerely.
"While I'm very happy to hear you praise me," Sellen replied, "could you explain what exactly is going on with my current state?"
She was certain this had something to do with Arthur—otherwise, he wouldn't be standing here now.
"Well… to put it simply," Arthur said, "to prevent you from becoming like Master Azur or Master Lusat—unable even to speak—I made a small adjustment to your Primal Glintstone."
"No, my apprentice. You mustn't stop me from pursuing the Primeval Current—this—"
Before Sellen could finish, Arthur interrupted her.
"I didn't stop you. Teacher, feel it carefully."
Sellen closed her eyes and focused.
She could still sense the Primeval Current. If she wished, she could head toward the origin at any time.
Opening her eyes again, she asked in confusion,
"Then what is this soul state?"
"This," Arthur explained, "is simply a path home I prepared for you—just in case you lose your way while exploring the origin."
He briefly explained the safeguard he had embedded within her Primal Glintstone.
"…I see," Sellen murmured.
"Using my Primal Glintstone as an anchor—my position in the Lands Between—while protecting my soul from glintstone crystallization. That way, my emotions and thoughts remain intact."
She sighed deeply, filled with emotion.
"My apprentice… you've helped your teacher once again."
"Helping my teacher resolve her worries," Arthur replied calmly,
"is also what a student should do."
Sellen froze for a moment.
Those were the exact words she herself had spoken to Arthur earlier—now returned to her.
At the same time, she finally understood what Arthur had meant when he said 'we'll meet again soon'.
Realizing that her emotions and thoughts would not be lost to crystallization, Sellen finally relaxed.
She no longer needed to fear never seeing her beloved apprentice again.
At the same time, she felt immense pride in Arthur—pride that he had devised such a method to bypass glintstone crystallization.
She could pursue the Primeval Current… and still return to the Lands Between to rest.
With that thought, Sellen looked at Arthur and said:
"My good apprentice, I won't waste words on thanks. I'll go explore the origin first. If I gain anything, I'll come back to you."
Arthur saw the impatience in her eyes and nodded.
"Then I wish you smooth travels, Teacher."
Sellen waved goodbye, returned into the sorcerer ball, and began her journey toward the Primeval Current.
Seeing that Sellen had settled in, Arthur hoisted the sorcerer ball and carried it back to the Grand Library.
He placed it at the center of the library and added several layers of protection—so no one would disturb her exploration.
He also left behind a fragment of his own spiritual presence on the sorcerer ball, ensuring he would know the moment Sellen returned from the origin.
After finishing all this, Arthur suddenly felt a strong sense of déjà vu.
Wasn't this exactly what Ranni had once done—leaving behind her own power here to protect her mother, preventing anyone from disturbing Rennala's slumber?
Now it was his turn.
Thinking of Ranni and Rennala, Arthur decided to check on the two of them.
Just as he was about to go find Ranni, he turned and saw Ranni walking toward him—with Rennala beside her.
The mother and daughter were chatting and laughing, clearly getting along quite well.
When they reached Arthur, Rennala's smile faded as she looked at Sellen's glintstone crown within the sorcerer ball.
"She still chose to pursue the Primeval Current in the end," Rennala said softly.
"Yes," Arthur replied.
"But she should be back after some time."
He explained once more the measures he had taken within Sellen's Primal Glintstone.
After listening, Rennala visibly relaxed.
She had seen firsthand what Sellen had done during this time.
Though it was at Arthur's request, Sellen had truly reclaimed the Academy and reorganized it thoroughly.
This brought an end to the long-standing conflict between the Caria Royal Family and the Academy of Raya Lucaria.
As Queen of Caria, Rennala was deeply grateful.
Living together in the Grand Library had naturally led to interaction, and Sellen had been the only person Rennala could truly speak to as an equal.
Over time, they had let go of past grievances and become good friends.
—or perhaps… in-laws.
After all, a teacher is like a parent. Sellen was Arthur's teacher, and she truly treated him like her own child.
Calling them in-laws wasn't wrong.
Now that Rennala knew Sellen would not be completely consumed by crystallization—and could still act freely as a soul—she felt relieved.
But then another thought struck her.
Sellen had gone to explore the origin. Arthur would soon be traveling the Lands Between with Ranni.
Didn't that mean the Academy and the Caria Royal Family would once again fall entirely on her shoulders?
She had barely enjoyed any peace—and had already planned to retire as the Full Moon Queen.
How did the burden of rulership end up back on her again?
At that moment, Rennala desperately hoped Arthur would hurry up and become Elden Lord, unify the Lands Between, and finally let her retire in peace.
—Wait.
Rennala suddenly remembered Ranni's vision of Order.
A law that would withdraw from the Lands Between, leaving fate in the hands of mortals.
Ranni would then leave with her king on a journey among the stars.
If that happened… wouldn't she, the Full Moon Queen, never be able to retire?
With that realization, Rennala turned to Arthur and said seriously:
"Child, after you become Elden Lord, don't rush off into the stars with Ranni just yet. First… give me a grandchild."
"Mother!"
Ranni interrupted immediately, flustered.
She had no idea what possessed her mother—one moment lamenting Sellen's departure, the next bringing up such an embarrassing topic.
"Don't interrupt!"
Rennala glared at Ranni, then continued speaking to Arthur.
"Ranni must have told you about her Order. I know neither of you plans to remain in the Lands Between."
"So I hope you'll leave behind descendants. Even if I must raise them myself—the Caria Royal Family and the Academy need a new leader."
Now Ranni finally understood why her mother had suddenly brought up children.
"Mother, I have no intention of leaving the Lands Between anytime soon. So please—don't bring this up for now, alright?"
Her voice was sharper than usual, betraying her agitation.
Rennala's eyes lit up.
"Really? That's wonderful! Then Mother will have more chances to see you!"
Hearing this, Ranni felt a pang of guilt.
Maybe… she should spend more time with her mother.
But Rennala's next words shattered that thought.
"Even so, the matter of producing heirs must still be placed on the agenda."
Rennala said firmly:
"I've sat on the throne of the Carian Queen for far too long. And since you refuse to inherit it—then you must hurry and produce successors, so Caria will not be left without an heir."
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